Genre: Game Compilation
Players: 1-2 Competitive (Local Wireless / Online)
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Review:
I’ll start by saying that this isn’t going to be a normal review. You won’t find an overall grade at the end telling you what I think of this collection of classic Game Boy games ranging from the handheld’s original release in 1989 all the way up to its final game release in 1999. This is… wait, 1999? Yeah, the Game Boy hung on to life for an absurdly long time – its last game in the US was Pokemon Yellow version in December 1999, and in Japan it still received games through March of 2001. This app also includes games released on the Game Boy Color, which ranged from the handheld’s original release in 1998 through until the system’s final release in 2002, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (with Japanese releases continuing through July 2003).
Anyway, I’m not giving this app an overall review for multiple reasons – firstly, the service is still receiving (increasingly sporadic) updates that add more content. Secondly, this is not a collection you can purchase and own – rather, this is an included perk of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription, and as such every player who subscribes to that service will have access to this compilation as long as they continue to have that subscription.
However, while that definitely places a lot of limitations on this compilation of games, one would be remiss not to consider what an amazing value this is, even with those limitations. Along with all of the other benefits of the $20 yearly subscription to Nintendo Switch Online, including the similar Nintendo Entertainment System app and the Super Nintendo Entertainment System app, this package currently provides access to 40 Game Boy and Game Boy Color games.
I should note that all of the games in this collection have added display options, including the ability to display original Game Boy games as they would appear on the original Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket, and Game Boy Color, though there are no options to use Super Game Boy enhancements. Also, the games in this collection still have any graphical issues (like flickering) present in the original game. This application also gives players the ability to rewind or create multiple save states (super-important for those “Nintendo hard” games), and the games with multiplayer can now be played both via local wireless and online (but not on the same screen, except in cases where the original game was designed to do that). In addition, this collection allows players to sort games by title, release date, play time or last date played, or even create a custom order, which is pretty convenient given just how many games are here.
So… out of 40 games, what’s still worth playing today, and what isn’t? Well, here’s a rundown of what I thought of each and every one of these titles:
| Game | Genre | # of Players | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alleyway | Arcade Brick Breaker | 1 | C |
tl;drThis is a respectable but largely unspectacular Arcade Brick Breaker | |||
| Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (Game Boy Color) | Graphic Adventure | 1 | C |
tl;drIt was really impressive what this game managed to pull off using the extremely limited graphical capabilities of the Game Boy Color back in the day. Now, while I can still appreciate this game’s accomplishment, I also find the limited resolution and limited color palette makes it far too difficult to determine where to go. What’s more, the combat is just plain awful and the switching camera angles are a product of a bygone era best left in the past. Still, this game does at least remain an interesting curio. | |||
| Baseball | Sports (Baseball) | 1-2 Competitive (Local Wireless / Online) | C- |
tl;drThe original Game Boy version of Baseball is a slow-paced version of the sport, but a functional one. It’s not without its charms, but this is far from a great version of the sport. | |||
| Bionic Commando | Action-Platformer | 1 | B |
tl;drThis is a surprisingly competent port of the excellent grappling-arm Nintendo Entertainment System game to the monochrome Game Boy, reworking the levels slightly and replacing the top-down portions of the original with side-scrolling battles. Unfortunately the small screen size of the Game Boy really limits your view, but otherwise the gameplay is as well-crafted and enjoyable as ever. This is an inferior version of a truly great game, but it’s still enjoyable. | |||
| Blaster Master: Enemy Below | Metroidvania / Top-Down Action | 1 | C+ |
tl;drThis is a competent sequel to Master Blaster, but without a map the limited screen size and repetitive environments really makes exploration a pain. Still, fans of the original may enjoy this. | |||
| Burger Time Deluxe | Arcade | 1-2 (Online) | C |
tl;drThis is a decent take on the classic Arcade game, but with the limited color palette it’s lacking some of the original game’s personality. This is a simple game, but if you’re feeling like an old-school Arcade game, you may find this entertaining. | |||
| Castlevania Legends | Action-Platformer | 1 | C- |
tl;drOne of the few early Castlevania games not included in one of the Konami collections released on Nintendo Switch, Legends feels a bit like a step backwards from Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge, as sub-weapons are more scarce (they have to be earned from bosses), and otherwise this game has all the flaws of the earlier OG Game Boy Castlevanias. At the very least it’s better than Castlevania: The Adventure, but if you have to set the bar that low, it’s not a great sign. | |||
| Donkey Kong | Puzzle-Platformer | 1 | A+ |
tl;drSometimes referred to as “Donkey Kong ’94”, the Game Boy version of Donkey Kong starts with the original arcade game and greatly expands on it to grow it into an absolutely incredible Puzzle-Platformer that’s truly wonderful in its own right, and was so good that it spawned its own separate franchise, the Mario Vs. Donkey Kong series. This game is so fantastic, I would have given it an A++… except this version doesn’t include the Super Game Boy enhancements this game received, which made for a much more visually-striking game. As a result, while this is still a must-own game, the Nintendo Switch Online release of this game is not the definitive version of it. For that you have to go back to the original… on a Super Nintendo with a Super Game Boy player. | |||
| Donkey Kong Land | Platformer | 1 | C+ |
tl;drTaking most of its graphics (but not the level design) from Donkey Kong Country, they aren’t quite as impressive using the limited palette of the Game Boy Color. The more simple level design and slower pace also make this feel like an exercise in mediocrity. These days, if you want a handheld Donkey Kong Country, you don’t have to settle for this compromised derivative game. | |||
| Donkey Kong Land 2 | Platformer | 1 | B |
tl;drNot only is this derived from the best Donkey Kong Country game, it’s also a much better take on its source material. It still doesn’t hold a candle to Donkey Kong Country 2, but this is a solid game despite its derivative nature. | |||
| Donkey Kong Land 3 | Platformer | 1 | C+ |
tl;drIt’s derived from the worst game in the series, but it’s still a better take on its source material than the first Donkey Kong Land. It’s a decent Platformer, but you have many better alternatives within the series. | |||
| Dr. Mario | Match-4 Falling Block Puzzle | 1-2 Competitive (Local Wireless / Online) | C |
tl;drDr. Mario is a decent Puzzle game, but this release of the game has multiple problems – the lack of color in a game about color-matching was an unfortunate but understandable cutback for the original Game Boy, but not for an emulated version that could have included Game Boy Color/Super Game Boy color options. However, the major issue here is that Nintendo Switch Online subscribers already have access to the vastly-superior Nintendo Entertainment System version of the game, which not only has full color but also same-screen local multiplayer support. So why would anyone bother playing this inferior version? | |||
| Game & Watch Gallery 3 (Game Boy Color) | Compilation / Arcade | 1 | B |
tl;drThis collection includes recreated versions of the Game & Watch games Egg, Green House, Turtle Bridge, Mario Bros., and Donkey Kong Jr. (with Judge, Flagman, Lion, Spitball Sparky, Donkey Kong II, and Fire all unlockable). Not only does this expand greatly on earlier games in the Game & Watch Gallery series (while still including both original and new improved versions of the included games), but in particular Donkey Kong Jr. is a huge improvement over the original Game & Watch version, expanded now to include multiple levels. This is an excellent minigame collection well worth playing. | |||
| Gargoyle’s Quest | Action-Platformer | 1 | B |
tl;drAn outstanding Action-Platformer with truly excellent level design. It’s brought down a little by the way the RPG elements occasionally drag down the pacing, but even by today’s standards this is still a superb game. | |||
| Gradius: The Interstellar Assault | Shmup | 1 | C+ |
tl;drThis is a surprisingly good take on the Gradius formula for a Game Boy game, even preserving the series’ upgrade structure and “option” upgrades. It’s crushingly difficult so you’ll need to use the rewind function a lot, the small screen makes things cramped, and there are far fewer options (and “options” than in arcade and console entries in the series, but this is still worth playing if you don’t mind a game that was designed around the Game Boy’s limitations. | |||
| Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters | Action-Platformer | 1 | C+ |
tl;drThis is a decent follow-up thas expands on the original, but it’s still dated by today’s standards. Due to the lack of color, the less-catchy soundtrack, and the iconic nature of the original game, I’d say both games are about even with each other. | |||
| Kirby Tilt ‘N’ Tumble | Arcade / Misc. | 1 | B |
tl;drThis marks the first time that this game has ever been released outside of its original platform, the Game Boy Color, with the Nintendo Switch’s gyroscopic motion controls being used for the game’s original tilt sensor controls. Those controls are gimmicky and somewhat unwieldy, but this game makes up for it with fun level design, a lot of variety, plenty of creativity, and a ton of charm. As long as you can get past this game’s controls, you’ll probably enjoy this game. | |||
| Kirby’s Dream Land | Platformer | 1 | C+ |
tl;drKirby’s very first game, and even all the way back in 1992 on the old monochrome Game Boy, Kirby still exudes charm, with a lot of polish and an excellent soundtrack. Unfortunately, as with many Kirby games, there’s not much difficulty to speak of, and the lack of copy abilities (that would be added later in Kirby’s Adventure) detracts from the gameplay variety. This game is still enjoyable to play even today, but it has since been outclassed by its many sequels. | |||
| Kirby’s Dream Land 2 | Platformer | 1 | B- |
tl;drReleased after Kirby’s Adventure, the numbered sequel to Kirby’s first game adds in Adventure’s copy abilities, as well as three new animal helpers, making for a more well-rounded game than the first entry in the series. Dream Land 2 still lacks some of Adventure’s nuance (and of course its color), but it is nevertheless a solid addition to the Kirby series. | |||
| Kirby’s Star Stacker | Match-2 Puzzle | 1-2 Competitive (Local Wireless, Online) | C+ |
tl;drThis Puzzle game combines a Match-2 gameplay with a “surround the stars” mechanic somewhat similar to Othello/Reversi. It works well enough, but isn’t quite compelling in the way you want a really good Puzzle game to be. | |||
| Mario Golf (Game Boy Color) | Sports (Golf) | 1-2 Competitive (Local Wireless / Online) | B |
tl;drIt looks simple by today’s standards, but great gameplay plus solid RPG mechanics make this a winner. | |||
| Mario Tennis (Game Boy Color) | Sports (Tennis) | 1-2 Competitive (Local Wireless / Online) | C |
tl;drThis is a very simple, bland version of the sport. Nowhere near what we’ve come to expect from the Mario Tennis series. | |||
| Mario’s Picross | Picross Puzzle | 1 | C |
tl;drContaining 256 unlockable Picross Puzzles, Mario’s Picross suffers a bit from the bland presentation of the monochrome Game Boy, and Picross fans will note that this lacks the ability to test-mark cels. This is a perfectly playable version of Picross, but far from a great one. | |||
| Mega Man: Dr. Wily’s Revenge | Action-Platformer | 1 | C |
tl;drThis Game Boy game recycles elements from Mega Man and Mega Man 2, and while the presentation is surprisingly good despite the limitations of the original black-and-white Game Boy, and the series’ great core gameplay is largely intact, the challenge level is so absurdly high that even series fans may be discouraged from enjoying this game. | |||
| Mega Man II | Action-Platformer | 1 | B |
tl;drMega Man II on Game Boy is an amalgamation of elements from the Nintendo Entertainment System games Mega Man 2 and Mega Man 3, two of the best games in the franchise. What’s more, its challenge level is far more manageable than the first Game Boy game. You’d still never choose this game over playing either of the NES games it’s derived from, but it’s an enjoyable bite-size reinterpretation of those games, regardless. | |||
| Mega Man III | Action-Platformer | 1 | C+ |
tl;drMega Man III on Game Boy is an amalgamation of elements from the Nintendo Entertainment System games Mega Man 3 and Mega Man 4, two of the best games in the franchise. Unfortunately, this game suffers from some absolutely atrocious slowdown that affects the gameplay so severely it’s hard to recommend this game. | |||
| Mega Man IV | Action-Platformer | 1 | C+ |
tl;drMega Man IV on Game Boy is an amalgamation of elements from the Nintendo Entertainment System games Mega Man 4 and Mega Man 5. Like Mega Man III, this game suffers from some pretty nasty slowdown, but thankfully it doesn’t interfere quite as much with the gameplay this time. | |||
| Mega Man V | Action-Platformer | 1 | C+ |
tl;drThis is the only completely original Mega Man game on the original Game Boy, not directly derived from any other games in the series. Unfortunately, it still suffers from bad slowdown problems, and Mega Man’s “upgraded” Mega Arm ability is frustratingly much worse than the Mega Buster it replaces, forcing players to wait for Mega Man’s hand to slowly return before they can fire again. While this game should be applauded for being an original entry in the series, it is unfortunately not a particularly good one. | |||
| Metroid II: The Return of Samus | Metroidvania | 1 | B |
tl;drWhile by this point this series has yet to come anywhere close to the massive heights of Super Metroid, Metroid II is a huge step in the right direction, and a massive improvement over the series’ first game. The one big problem with this game is that it’s a Metroidvania without a map. Still, for its time, it was a superb entry in the genre. | |||
| Pokemon: The Trading Card Game (Game Boy Color) | Collectible Card Game | 1-2 Competitive (Online) | C+ |
tl;drI give this release a bit of an edge over the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console release of the game due to its inclusion of online multiplayer support. This was an admirable effort to stuff the popular Pokemon card game into a Game Boy Color cartridge, but the limitations of the Game Boy Color’s screen resolution mean that there’s just no way for the screen to display all the information you need in any practical way. You’re probably better off just getting actual Pokemon cards instead. | |||
| Quest for Camelot (Game Boy Color) | Top-Down Action-RPG | 1 | C- |
tl;drA game based on a middling animated film from the late 1990s that is… a middling Game Boy Color game from the late 1990s. This game is trying to be like Zelda, but it’s dreadfully slow-paced, with poor combat, and inane fetch quests. | |||
| Super Mario Land | Platformer / Shmup | 1 | B |
tl;drIt’s much shorter than a typical Mario game, and the physics are a bit “off”. Yet it still has a lot of charm, a memorable world, a great soundtrack, and wonderful level design. Plus it has the odd distinction of being a Mario game with Shmup levels. It’s far from the best Mario game, but it’s a classic nonetheless. | |||
| Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins | Platformer | 1 | B+ |
tl;drA largely successful attempt at scaling down the Super Mario Bros. 3 formula for a smaller handheld experience. It also holds the distinction of being the origin of Wario (as the primary villain). It’s slow-paced compared to other Mario games, but still a solid entry in the series and a great Platformer overall. | |||
| Survival Kids (Game Boy Color) | Survival Adventure | 1 | C |
tl;drThis is a pretty primitive take on the Survival Adventure, and you’ll probably want to play it with a walkthrough guide if you play it. It’s not terrible, but fans of this genre have much better modern games to play. | |||
| Tetris | Falling-Block Puzzle | 1-2 Competitive (Local Wireless / Online) | B |
tl;drHow do you even review this game? It has been iterated and reiterated upon so many times over the years, and remains the centerpiece of an entire genre. The Game Boy version of Tetris features a timeless presentation that’s sure to hit the nostalgia part of the brain for anyone who played it back in the day, and its soundtrack is still legendary. However, this version of Tetris lacks features that have become standard in modern versions of the game, like piece-saving, piece previews, and fast-dropping. it’s still an outstanding Puzzle game, but you can play better versions of this game on countless platforms, including Nintendo Switch. | |||
| The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX (Game Boy Color) | Top-Down Action-RPG | 1 | A+ |
tl;drWait, did I just give this grade a higher score than its Nintendo Switch remake? Why yes. Yes I did. Why? Because I’m not being asked to fork over $60 for a remake of a 30 year-old game, that’s why. Link’s Awakening DX is actually a remake itself, adding color to the previously monochrome-only Game Boy game, along with a new bonus dungeon. However, at its core still lies perhaps the greatest Game Boy game ever made, and a game that many still argue is one of the best games in the Zelda series, with creative new mechanics like being able to swap out and combine any items in your inventory including your sword, an imaginative new locale and story, and some incredible dungeon design and boss design. This is simply an absolute must-play game. | |||
| The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of the Ages (Game Boy Color) | Top-Down Action-RPG | 1 | B+ |
tl;drOracle of Ages shamelessly re-uses quite a lot of assets from Link’s Awakening DX, but it uses them to craft a completely new adventure with a focus on revisiting the same areas in different time periods to solve puzzles. Despite the lack of originality, this is still an outstanding game. It bears mention that although this game is paired with Oracle of Seasons, which was released at the same time, both games are completely different (this isn’t a Pokemon Red/Pokemon Blue sorta’ double-dip – both games are worth playing). | |||
| The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of the Seasons (Game Boy Color) | Top-Down Action-RPG | 1 | B+ |
tl;drOracle of Seasons shamelessly re-uses quite a lot of assets from Link’s Awakening DX, but it uses them to craft a completely new adventure with a focus on changing the weather to different “seasons” to solve puzzles. Despite the lack of originality, this is still an outstanding game. It bears mention that although this game is paired with Oracle of Ages, which was released at the same time, both games are completely different (this isn’t a Pokemon Red/Pokemon Blue sorta’ double-dip – both games are worth playing) | |||
| The Sword of Hope | Graphic Adventure / Turn-Based RPG | 1 | C |
tl;drThis is an interesting blend of Graphic Adventure and Turn-Based RPG that’s ambitious for its time, but the poor graphical capabilities and limited screen space of the Game Boy limit its ability to tell an engaging story. For fans of the Graphic Adventure and RPG genres curious to try something retro, this may be worth a look. | |||
| Wario Land 3 (Game Boy Color) | Platformer | 1 | C+ |
tl;drWario’s third Platforming adventure goes even deeper into the shape-shifting abilities introduced in the second game, so much that this is closer to a Puzzle-Platformer this time. Unfortunately, the game often leaves you wondering just what the heck you’re supposed to do. This game clearly has its fans, but I think that even more than the second game, this is an acquired taste. | |||
When it all comes down to it, the truly must-play games (B+ grade or higher) are as follows: Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX, Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins, The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of the Ages, and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of the Seasons
And in addition to that, other worthwhile games well worth playing (B or B- grade) are Donkey Kong Land 2, Game & Watch Gallery 3, Gargoyle’s Quest, Mega Man II, Kirby Tilt ‘N’ Tumble, Mario Golf, Metroid II: The Return of Samus, Super Mario Land, Tetris, and Kirby’s Dream Land 2
Or, for those wanting a Top 10 list (because those are always fun), my suggestions would be as follows:
10. Super Mario Land
9. Tetris
8. Mario Golf
7. Gargoyle’s Quest
6. Metroid II: The Return of Samus
5. Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins
3. Tie: The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of the Ages and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of the Seasons
2. Donkey Kong
1. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX
Of course, that’s just how it stands now – there’s always the possibility that Nintendo will update this list with additional titles later… and when they do, I’ll try to make it a point to update this list as well. In the meantime, if you have Nintendo Switch Online, you may as well get to playing some of these – these are some fantastic games, and the extra features added here make them even better.
tl;dr – Nintendo Switch Online members currently have access to 40 Game Boy and Game Boy Color games, including some true classics, and all of these games have added display options, save states, a rewind feature, and online and local wireless play for those games with multiplayer. There’s definitely quite a few games here well worth checking out if you use this service.
Grade: N/A
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